Mute for trumpets, cornets, and like wind instruments.



wi bncooeo KT 4 M H. B. JAY. MUTE FOR TRUMPETS, GORNETS, AND LIKE WIND INSTRUMENTS.

APPLIGATION FILED MAY 12, 1913.

1, 1 14,886, Patented Oct. 27, 1914.

E n 5 a M 5 1 2 Eli E35,? 7

G Roz/sump HARRY B. JAY, 0F AURORA, ILLINOIS.

MUTE FOR TRUMPETS, CQRNETS, AND L IKEWIND INSTRUMENTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Get. 27, 1914.

Application filed May 12, 1913. Serial No. 767,075.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HARRY B. JAY, a citizen of the United States, residingat Aurora, Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mutes for Trumpets, Comets, and .like Wind Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

- This invention relates to improvements in. mutes for trumpets, cornets, and like wind instruments.

Mutes for wind instruments now commonly'employed, unless made especially for the particular instrument, quite frequently change the key as well as the character of the tone of the instrument; in other words, when the mate is used, the instrument is more or less out 'ofitune.

It is the main object ofmy invention to provide an improved mutefor wind instruments of this class, which may be'adjusted to the particular instrument, so that the in strument will be in tune when used with or without the mute; further, to provide an improved mute having these advantages, which is simple instructure and adjustment and may be quickly applied to or removed from the instrument after once having been ,adjusted or tuned thereto.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my inventionby the devices and means described. in. the following specification. I

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure l is a side view of a cornet with my improved mute applied thereto, a portion of the bell of the instrument being Shown in longitudinal section. Fig. II is a longitudinal section ofmy improved mute, taken on a line corresponding to line 22 of Fig. I. Fig. III is an enlarged cross section on a line corresponding to line 3-3 of Fig. 11. Fig. IV is an enlarged detail longitudinal section on a line corresponding to line 4-4 of Fig. Ill. Fig. V is a detail longitudinal central section of a modified construction, the modification being in the instrument 1 is shown mainly in conventional form and for the purpose of illustrating the. manner of using my improved mute.

My. improved mute consists of an inner tubular member 1 and an outer tubular member 2 arranged to telescope one within the other; The member 1 isprovided with a gasket 3 at its inner end which fits into the throat of the instrument to support the mute and close the threat. The outer mem her 2 is provided with a hell 4 having an end wall 5. The end wall has a central opening 6 in which the tube 7 is slidably disposed. The outer end of the inner memher 1 is'provided with longitudinal slots 8 and is tapered and threaded to receive the clamping ring or nut 9. By means of this clamping ring or nut 9, the members are secured in their adjusted relation. The member 2 is formed of two sections joined by the collar 10 which also'serves as'a stop. The tube 7- is for the purpose oat changing the volume of the tone.

In the modification shown in Fig. V, the members are. threaded together, the threads being spun therein. This manner or? adjust-- ing is quite satisfactory as it is found that there is sutlicient friction between the members to retain them in their adjusted position.

In the use of the mute, it is adjusted to the particular instrument in which it is to be used so that the pitch of the instrumentis not changed by the use of the mute, and is clamped or secured in that position.

My improved mute, when in position in an instrument, has an air tight connection to the bell of. the instrument and becomes a part thereof, and it is possible to adjust the mute to the correct length for various diameters of bells when used on instruments of this class. For instance, in a bell of large diameter, the outer end wall of my improved mute with the tuning slide closed,would enter too far, shortening the vibrating column of the air, thus making the instrument higher in pitch when the mute was in position than it would-be without the mute. In

case of an instrument with bell of small diameter, my improved mute adjusted to an instrument with a bell of larger diameter, would make the column of air too long and consequently the pitch too low.- By the tuning slide feature described, the mute can be adjusted for a particular instrument so that the pitch of the-instrument is not changed 7 when the mute is in use. The pitch or tuning adjustment is entirely in the tuning slide or adjustment connection between the outer member 2 having the bell thereon'and the inner member.

adjustment being required.

My improved mute is very simple in structure and adjustment, and at thesame time,- is very desirable. in that it can be. adjusted to the particular instrument withwhich it.

is to be used.

I have illustrated m invention in a practical embodiment. arious modifications are possible other than that illustrated, but

I have not attempted to. illustrate or de-', scribe such modifications, as'I believe the disclosure made will-enable thoseskilled in the art to apply or embody the same as may. be desired and to meet the requirements of. the particular case. 'I desire, however, to be understood as claiming 'my' improvements specifically in .the form illustrated, as well as broadly within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I. claim asv new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A mute for wind instruments of the class described, comprising a tubular inner member having a gasket onits inner end To apply the mute" when thus adjusted, it is only necessary toinsert. it into the instrument, no further tuning adapted'to fit the throat of the instrument,

whereby the mute is supported therein and the throat is closed, the outer end of the inner member being longitudinally slotted,

tapered and threaded; a tubular outer member adapted to telescope into said inner member and having a bell at its outer end provided with an end wall having a central opening therein; a clamping nut for said inner member whereby the members are secured in their adjusted relation; and a slide tube arranged in said opening in the outer end ofsaid outer member to telescope into the same. I

2. A mute for wind instruments of the class described, comprising a tubular inner member adapted to be inserted into and close the throat of the instrument; .a tubular outer member ada ted to telescope with said inner member an having a bell at its outer class described comprising an inner tubular member adapted to fit and close the throat of the instrument, an outer tubular member adapted totelescope into sald inner member .and having a bellat its outer end provided with an endwall-havi ng a central opening therein,'said members being adgustably associated for the purpose specifie In witness-whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.

HARRY B. JAY. [n a] Witnesses:

JOHN Q.. STEINBAGH,

FRED W. CLAIN. 

